Despite recent developments and initiatives striving to protect and promote long-term corporate strategy and sustainable value creation,[1] short-term perspectives still predominate throughout the investment value chain and dominate decisions in boardrooms.[2] It is troubling how deeply the short-term mindset has permeated corporate culture across the globe. The markets relentless demand for profit growth on a quarterly…

The legal industry and the evolving legal service delivery model is a terrific story, a fascinating puzzle and an entrenched maze of narratives. The traditional law firm partnership business model[1] is being significantly impacted by a combination of competitive alternative legal service providers, the expanding reach of technology, and the changing behaviour of the retail…

There was a time the American – Canadian, UK, and Australian – dream was built on the ideal that hard work leads to success. Today, with the rise of technology, the message has become: work all the time or you will fail.[1] The legal culture – in particular law firm culture – encourages workaholic behaviors,[2]…

Until relatively recently, throughout the world, legal services have by law only been delivered to the consumer by traditional law firms that are wholly owned and controlled by lawyers.[1] With the goal of modernizing the delivery of legal services and encouraging competition, reducing prices, and spurring innovation,[2] the UK, Australia and other countries have dropped…

The separation of politics from the judiciary is a cornerstone of the rule of law and Canada’s democratic system of government.[1] On November 9, 2016, the day after the United States presidential election, Justice Bernd Zabel entered a Canadian courtroom wearing a red “Make America Great Again” baseball hat, the campaign signature of the successful…

Legal professional privilege exists in most jurisdictions across the world. However, the scope, application, and nature of the protections afforded to legal professional privilege and confidentiality of communications vary widely. Because of the shared origins and many similarities between the legal systems of the UK, the U.S., Canada and Australia, there tends to be a…

The profession of law is more challenging today than ever before. Between demanding corporate clients and an unpredictable economy, lawyers like many other professions are being forced to the edge of uncertainty. And many lawyers, law firms and legal departments are not prepared for the economic and technological reality of today’s legal market. And, it’s…

Practicing with integrity in an in-house position, whether in the private or public sector, has always required special skill; but along with the advantages of the insider’s perspective come particular challenges. The fact of having one client — the corporation or the government[1] — means that an in-house lawyer is particularly vulnerable when there is…

The lack of integrity (actual or perceived) in public office and the private boardroom is a critical reason we are now experiencing what has been described as a crisis in leadership[1] and trust.[2] A deficiency of trust is indexed as the number one problem confronted by business and political leaders today. According to several studies,…

It is difficult to imagine a worst case scenario than United Airlines’ now infamous conduct on April 9, 2017, that permitted a 69 year old doctor named David Dao – under United Airlines care and control as a boarded and seated passenger – to be assaulted, bloodied, and dragged from its overbooked airplane with a…

Thought of the Day

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This publication is designed to sensitize the reader to matters of general interest relating to recent developments in the law. Legal counsel should be consulted with regard to specific application of the information on a case-by-case basis. The contributors and editors assume no liability whatsoever in connection with the use of information contained in this publication.